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Pret a Manger to Expand in Asia

Updated Sept. 24, 2002 5:32 a.m. ET

Pret A Manger, a closely held sandwich chain that is 33% owned by McDonald's Corp., is planning to expand rapidly in Asia, opening 80 stores in Japan over the next three years, and a total of "20 to 30 shops" in Hong Kong, according to Andrew Rolfe, the company's chairman and chief executive. The strategy follows London-based Pret A Manger's recent attempt to sell its high-end sandwiches in office districts outside the U.K., including Manhattan, N.Y. Pret A Manger's Japanese operation is expected to open its first store in Tokyo Wednesday. The Japanese business is a 50-50 joint venture between Pret A Manger...